The largest number of seahorses were discovered for the first time since 2008.
Covid-19 has brought people around the world to a standstill but that hasn’t stopped a certain endangered species from making a comeback.
In Studland Bay in Dorset, England, divers discovered 16 spiny seahorses, the largest number recorded in that area since 2008.
The Seahorse Trust believes they are coming out due to the slowdown from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have seen so many seahorses because the food chain has recovered, giving seahorses plenty of food to eat, and crucially, somewhere to hide,” said Neil Garrick-Maidment, the trust founder.
“The seagrass has started to repair itself, and the spiny seahorses have taken advantage of this,” he continued.
There are two types of seahorse species found in England – the spiny and short-snouted – and both were put under protective status in 2008 by The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Mr Garrick-Maidment said:
“The 16 seahorses discovered on a single dive are an amazing discovery, but we now need the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and Natural England to enforce the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Marine Conservation Zone and put in place measures such as environmentally friendly moorings.”
“The seahorses need protection to stop them being disturbed again as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and to stop them vanishing from this legally protected site.”
“We have a unique opportunity to help nature and to restore the balance of our planet.”